Wire-bound-box-blank machine.



4 L1. MILLER. WIRE BOUND BOX- BLANK MACHINE I APPLICATI ON FILED OCT. 26. 1911.

Patented Mam 26,191&

5 SHEETHHEET I 1.]. MILLER.

WIRE BOUND BOX BLANK MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 26.' 19] R- J. J. MILLER. WIRE BOUND BOX BLANKMACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 26, 19!]. 1,260,932.

Pat ented Mar. 26, 1918.

MILLER. WIRE BOUND BOX BLANK MACHINE. APPL-ICATION FILED OCT. 2a, 191:.

lglzwflagn Patented Mar. 26, 1918.

5 SHEETSSHEET 4.

1. J. NHLLER. WlRE BOUND 80X BLANK MACHIN E.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 26. 19!].

1,260,932. Patented Mar. 26,1918.

' 5 SHEETS-SHET 5.

the cleats apart endwise,

- returns to again said edges the Jones J. MILLER, on em. :rosnrn, MICHIGAN, AssIcnon,

nnr ornate.

BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, T0

Wmnnonnns rarnnrs COMPANY, or KITTERY, MAINE, A. conronarron or MAINE.

WIRE-BQUND -BOX-BLAQN K MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 26, 1918.

Original application filed October 11, 1909, Serial No. 522,156. Patent No. 1,089,069, dated March 3, 1914.

Divided and this application filed October 26, 1911.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JULIUS J. MILLER, a citizen of the United States of America, and resident of St. Joseph, Berrien county, Michigan. have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in lNire-Bc'undBox-Blank Machines, of which the following isa specification.

rial Number 522,156, filed October 11, 1909,

.for improvement in box blank machines granted March 3, 1914, as Patent No.

binding wires which are held in 'placeupon the veneer by the same staplesthat secure the reinforcing cleats to the inner surface of the blank. 1

Generally stated, the object of my invention is to ing novel and efi'ectivemeans for spacing and for separating or spacing the edges of the veneer or other sheet material, whereby the sections of the blank are secured in proper relation to each other.

.A special object is to 7 device that enters between the edges of two adjacent sections of the blank to space the proper distance apart, and which is withdrawn from spacing position by means individual thereto, whereby the said spacing device travels a distance with the blank, withdraws therefrom, and then perform its spacing funcmeans, such as a cam and employed for controlling tion, any suitable a spring, being the action of said spacing device.

Another object is to provide a spacing device that serves to separate the adj acentends of two cleats, to produce the required space between the same, and which travels forward at distance with the blank in one direction, moves laterally a distance away from the path of the cleats, travels back along a path parallel with the said path of the cleats, and then moves toward the said path of the cleats, to assume a spacing positiomall in provide a box blank machine havprovide a spacing Serial no. 656,9G9.

the same horizontal plane, whereby said spacing device is always right side up, and does not leave the said horizontal plane of movement.

It is also an object to provide certain details and novel combinations tending to produce a new mode of operation in a box blank fmachine of this character. This is a division of my applicatlon Se-.

To the foregoing and other useful ends, my invention consists set forth and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings Figure l is a side elevation, with certain portions in section, of a wire bound box blank machine embodying the features of my invention.

I Fig. 2 is a transverse section on line 2-2 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section on line 3--3 in Fig. 1. 1

; Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view of one of the links. of one of the endless link belts shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

F lg. 5 is a longitudinal detail side eleva- Fig 6 is a plan view of the link belt construction shown in Flg. 5, illustrating the manner in which the spacing blocks travel along the angle irons or fixed guides that are provided for the cleats of the blanks.

.Fig. 7 IS an enlarged cross section on line 77 of Fig. 5.

1g. 8 is an enlarged perspective of one views.

'Fig. 9 is a detail fragmentary view of a portion of one of the cleat guides shown in the preceding views, and of one-of the in clined bars or strips by which the blanks are in matters hereinafter varying the .tion of a series of the links shown in Fig. 4.

. of the spacing blocks shown in the preceding have their initialmovement in. the general direction of travel of the blanks through the machine.

Fig.1 11 is a perspective of one if the wire bound box blanks.

Fig. 12 is a detail fragmentary view of one of the devices for adjusting the hubs of the sprocket wheels 0 and c in the slots of the bars Z) and 0 upon \vh1ch they are carried.

As thus illustrated, my invention comprises a suitable frame or body A, upon which are mounted certain of the operative par-ts, said frame or body consisting of an upright casting at each side of the machine. The upright castings B are disposed a suitable distance in advance of the castings from which the frame A is constructed, and are made adjustable by means of screws b. In this way the distance between the castings A and B may be varied at will. The castings composing the frame A are connected by a bar a and also by another bar a. The castings B are connected by a bar 6. The bars a, a, b are disposed in the same llOIlzontal plane, and are thus adapted to provide a sort of table for the endless link belts C. These endless link belts are arranged to travel upon and around sprocket wheels 0 and a mounted respectively upon bars b and a. It will be seen that these sprocket wheels have hubs which are adjustably mounted in slots 6 and a in the bars I) and a respectively. Thus the distance between these two endless link belts may be varied at will, so as to vary the width of the wire bound box blanks. Any suitable device can be employed for positioning the said sprocket wheels at different points in the length of the slots b and a as, for example, set screws 6 and (1 Referring to Fig. 4, it will be seen that the links of the said endless link belts are each of the character shown in said figures, so far as the general form and construction thereof is concerned. Each link has a flange 0 provided with a longitudinal slot 0 which flange is at the outside of the belt or chain, as shown more clearly in Figs. 3 and 7: Fig. 4, more properly speaking, shows onl the upper member of one of the said lin rs, the lower member 0 being simply a straight bar. The upper and lower members of each link are spaced apart by the washers c it being understood that the pins or pivots by which the links are connected extend through these washers. Thus the links are connected together by pins or pivots which" serve as axles for the washers 0. These washers 0 serve as anti-friction rollers, and are engaged by the teeth 0 of the I sprocket wheels. These endless link belts or chag'iis whieh travel in horizontal lanes, and which are operatedby sprockets w ich rotate about vertical axes, are provided with spacing blocks D of the kind] shown in FigJ S. These spaclng blocks may be of an suitable,

known or approved shape, depen ing upon the formation desired for the ends of the cleats of the blanks. Each spacingblock is.

preferably provided with a threaded stud (1,!

which latter are secured to the bars a.

as shown more clearly in 7 and 8. The

length of the cleats to be employed in the manufacture of the blanks. Each spacing block is also preferably provided at its top with a pin d, which extends downward into the block, and which is controlled by a spring 03 These spacing blocks D are adapted to travel along the fixed guides E,-

whieh latter are in the nature of angle irons extending longitudinally of the machine, and upon which guides the cleats of theblank travel endwise during the operation of stapling the veneer and cleats and binding wires together. The pins (Z are so arranged that their. lower ends travel upon the flat horizontal surfaces of the said guides i and are thus held in such position that their upper ends serve to separate the edges of the veneerthat is to say, the upper ends of these pins 01 extend upwardly between the edges of the several sheets of veneercomprised in each box blank, so thatvthe said edges are spaced apart sufficiently to insure the desired result when the box blank is folded around the rectangular end walls of the box. When the spacing blocks D leave the forward ends of the ides E the pins 03 are thrust downward y the tension of the springs d whereby these 'pins do not project above the tops of the spacing blocks while the latter are traveling back to'the end of the machine where the materials are loaded thereon. In other words, the pins d project above the tops of the blocks D while they are traveling forward, and while they are performing their function of separatlng the edges ofthe veneer, but do not project above the tops of said blocks while they are traveling back to the place where the operator is loadingmaterials upon the machine. With reference tothis mode of operation the ends of the guides E are provided with curved cams 6 upon which the spacing blocks D travel and which serve to elevate the pins 4Z into position to cause the upper ends to reject above the tops of the said blocks. t the other ends of the said guidesE, and at that end of the machine where the blocks are stripped from the said guides,,the cleat's are adapted to ride up thei inclined surfaces of the bars or strippers F, In this way the blanks are disengaged from the spacmg blocks D before the links of the chains start around the sprocket wheels 0.

' It will be understood, of course,that before each spacing block D can be deflected from its longitudinal travel it must be fully disengaged from the cleats, for otherwise the spacing blocks would cramp or bind between the ends of the cleats. The strippers h, however, as stated, permit the blanks to rise from the guides E, and disengage themselves from the blocks D, before the links start around the sprockets c at that end of the machine where the blanks are delivered in finished condition. It is obvious that in order to secure this mode of operation the strippers F must. be so proportioned and adjusted that they engage the cleats of the blanks without engaging thespacing blocks D. Thus the cleats 1 of the blanks are caused to slide longitudinally along the guides E, by spacing; blocks D interposed between the ends of the cleats. The said guides E are adjust'a'bly mounted upon the bars a, a and b, as for example by means of saddle blocks 6 and set screws e as shown in Figs. 9 and 10, where by the distance between them may be varied for the pur ose of varying the width of the blanks.

Any suitable mechanism may be employed for operatingthe endless link belts C, For example, the sprocket wheels 0, c an be pro vided with vertical shafts which carry bevel gears G; at the lower ends thereof, which bevel gears are adapted to engage similar bever gears g ona horizontal shaft g. This "shaft, it will be understood, is supported in suitable bearings-on the frame A. Upon the said shaft is mounted a ratchet wheel g that is actuated by a pair of dogs 9 which latter are carried b an arm g mounted to swing upon said siaft. This arm is opr erated by a rod 9 which rod is in turn operated by a lever g pivoted at 9 upon the base of the body of the machine. This lever g carries a roll g which is engaged and operated by a cam g", which latter is mounted upon the main operating shaft 9". Thus the rotation of this shaft 9* serves to operate the feed mechanism consisting of the ratchet wheel g and dog 9 whereby the endless link belts C are given a step-by step feeding motion in the direction in dicated by the arrows in Fig. 3. The mechanism is so arranged as to permit the lateral adjustment of the link belts C to accommodate different widths of blanks Without interfering with the driving of the same. One suitable arrangement is illustrated in Fig.

2 wherein the shaft g is provided with the staples H, H, H and H are provided for this purpose, the said staplers consisting of upper and lower heads mounted upon the usual cross bars I and J. The bar J is rigidly mounted upon the side membersof the frame A, while the bar I is reciprocated up and down by the rods or pit'men h at the rearend thereof. These rods pr pitmen are operated by eccentric devices It, which latter consist o rap nd as arriedfby t shaft g. The bar a is preferably provided with a pair of anvil'blocks K, which blocks serve to clench the staples that secure the middle wires 2 upon the upper surface of the blank shown in Fig. 11 These staples are driven by staplers H" and H while the I the blanks and are clenched on the under surface thereof.

Anysuitable means can be employed for draw the wire from the reel for application to the unsecured parts of the blank. For clearness the reels have been omitted r m h other figu es With t construc-v tion l s rat d the e bind ng w e are Se cured to the upper surfaces'of and are pull.edalcng or fed forward by the movement of the blanks through the machine.

Thus it will be seen that the pins 0T are in the nature of spring fingers that are moved into and out of spacing position. Each said finger is actuated in one direction by a cam, and in the other direction by a spring, whereby it moves into and out of the path of the sheets of veneer. As shown, the said cam is stationary and it is the forward movement of the finger against the cam that actuates the fingerin the one di-' rection. Also, it will be seen that the blocks D are in the natureof spacing devices that always remain right side up, and that never leave the horizontal plane of movement, the forwardv and back movements of" the 'said the blanks,

device being along parallel lines in the same spacing apart the ends of two cleats in the same wire bound blank, and of returning to starting position, without moving vertically, and without being turned up side down. The fingers d having spacing and non-s acing positions on the traveling members and each finger is actuated to spacing position by a cam or stationary device 6, and to non-spacing position by a spring d. Each finger or spacing device is movable forward a distance with the blank, and then returnable in close proximity to the under surface of the blank. These spacing devices can be used in various ways, and for various purposes, without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I do not limit myself to the exact construction shown and described.

What I claim as my invention is 1. In a machine for making wire bopnd box blanks, the combination of guides-Ear the cleats, endless traveling members provided with spacing blocks, whereby the cleats of each blank are ,spaced apart endwise, sprockets for a said endless traveling members, said sprockets arranged to rotate about vertical axes, means for operating said members in a direction to cause the idle portions thereof to return under the blanks, devices for stapling binding wires to the blanks, spacing devices on said blocks extending into the plane of the blanks, and means for preventing the said spacing devices while returning from interfering with the forwardly moving blanks.

2. A wire bound box blank machine in which the blanks have a step-by-step forward feeding motion, comprising means for applying the parallel binding wires, while the blanks are moving along, mechanism for gaging or positioning the parts of the blank before said wires are applied, said mecha-. nism comprising a spacing finger mounted to travel forward a distance between adjacent edges of two sections of the blank, movable into and out of spacing position, the said finger being returned to starting point along a path at one side of its path of for-- ward movement, without interrupting the said feeding motion, a spring for actuating the finger 1n one direction, and a cam for actuating the finger in the opposite direction.

3. A wire bound box blank machine in which the blanks have a step-by-step forward feeding motion, comprising means for applying the parallel binding wires, while the blanks are moving along, mechanism for gaging or positionmg the parts of the blank before the said wires are applied, said mechanism comprising a movable member, a finger carried by and having spacing and non-spacing positions on said member, which finger is adapted to engage between the edges of adjacent sections of the blank,

the blanks are movin to space the said sections apart, a spring for actuating the finger to one position, and a cam for actuating the finger to the other position.

4. A wire-bound box blank machine in which the blanks have a step-by-step forward feeding mot-ion, comprislng means for applyin the parallel binding wires while the blan s are moving along, a cleat guide,

-mechanism for gaging or positioning the and means for actuating the said finger from one position to the other, the said finger b'e-' ingv returned to starting point along a path at one side of its path of forward movement, without interrupting the said feeding mo-' tion.

5. A wire bound box blank machine in which the blankshave a step-by-step forward feeding motion, comprising means for applying the parallel binding wires, while along, mechanism for gaging or positioning the parts of the blank before the said wires are applied, said mechanism comprising a spacing finger for engagement between the edges of adjacent sections of the blank, said s acingfinger being automatically operated Independently of control, by any space in the materials ahead thereof, a movable member, and means for movably mounting said finger on said member, said finger having spacing and non-spacing positions on said member, and said member having motion only in a horizontal plane, the said finger being returned to starting point along a path at one side of its path of forward movement, without interrupting the said feeding motion.

6. A wire bound box blank machine in which the blanks have a-step-by-step forward feeding motion, comprising means for applying the parallel binding wires, while the blanks are moving along, mechanism for gaging or positioning the parts of the blank before the said wires are applied, said mechanism comprising a movable member, which has motion only 1n alhorlzontal plane, and

a spacing finger carried by and having spac- Elli ' tions on said member,

'a path at one side of its ward feeding motion,

7. A' -wire bound box blank machine in which the blanks have a 'step-by-step forward feeding motion, comprising means for applying the parallel binding wires, while the blanks are moving along, mechanism for gaging orpositioning the parts of the blanks before the said Wires are applied, said mechanism comprising a's'pacin'g finger for engagement between the edges of adjacent seea device for witha cam for moving position, the said finger being returned to starting point along path of forward interrupting the said tions of the 'same blank, drawing the finger, and

movement, without feeding'motion.

8. A wire bound boxblank machine in I which the blanks have a step-by-step forcomprising means for applying the parallel bindingwires, while the blanks are moving along, a cleat guide mechanism for parts of the blank before the said :wires are applied, said mechanism comprising a member movable'in opposite directions at one side of the guide, a spacing finger carried by and having spacing and non-spacing posisaid finger adapted to engage between the edges of adjacent sections of the same blank, means for automatically moving said finger intospacmg position,-rrm[f means for alonga path at one side of its path 0 forward movement, without interrupting the said feeding motion.

. 9. A wire bound box blank machine in which the blanks have ajstep-by-step for are applied, said mechanism'comprising two members which are movable beside the gaging or positioning the .parts ofthe blank guides, a spacing finger carried by and having spacing andi non-spacing positions on' each said member, a device individual to each finger for actuating it to one position, and a device to actuate the said finger to the other position, the said finger being returned to starting point alon a path at one side of its path of fol-War movement, Without interrupting the said feeding motlgn 10. A wire bound box blank machine in which the blanks have a step-by step forward feeding motion, comprising means for applying the parallel bindingwires, While the blanks are moving along, mechanism for before the said wires are applied, said mechanism comprising a device for engagement between the edges of ad acent sections 9f the blank, said device being automatically gaging or positioning the i automatically JIIOVlIIg said finger nto non-spacing position, the said fingerbeing returned to starting oint cling member uponwhich said device has spacing and non-spacing positions, a cleat guide in the path of whlch said device travels while in engagement with the blank, the

movement of the said device from one position to another on said member being in a direction transverse-of the direction of said travel, and-meansfor actuating the said de-.

vice from one po'sition to the other, the said device being returned to starting point along a path at one sideof its path of forward movement, without interrupting the said feedin motion. I I

11. wire bound box blank machine in which the blanks have a step-by-step for- Ward feeding motion, compzising means for applying the parallel binding wires, while the blanks are moving along, mechanism-for gaging or positioning the parts of the blank before the said wires are applied, said mech anism comprising spring actuated spacing fingers for engagement between the edges of adjacent sections of the blank, at opposite sides thereof, each finger movable in a diof the direction of traveland means for actuating said applying the parallel the blanks are moving %aging or positioning the parts of the blank e fore the said wires are applied, said mech anism comprising cam-actuated and travel-' ing spacing fingers for engagement between the edges. of adjacent sections of thebl'ank, said spacing fingers being automatically operated independently of control by any space in the materials ahead thereof, a support p-by-step for. ward feeding motion, comprising means for binding Wires, while along, mechanism for upon which each finger is movable relative.

thereto in adirection transverse of the di-' rection of travel of the work, and means whereby each finger is returned to starting point along a path at one side of its path of'forward movement, without interrupting the said'feeding motion. i

' 15. A wire bound box blank machine in which the blankshave a step-by-step forward feeding motion, comprising means for applying the parallel binding wires, while the blanks are moving along, parallel cleat guides, mechanism for gaging or positionmg the parts wires are applied, said mechanism comprising a plurality of fingers movable alon each guide to space the different sections 0 the same'blank, and traveling members upon whichsaid fingers are movable to spacing and non-spacing positions, each finger movable in a direction transverse of the direction of travel of the work, .each finger being returned to' tarting point; along a path at,

of the blank before the said one side of the guide thereof, and means whereby said members are automatically operated in opposite directions.

14-. A wirebound box blank machine in which the blanks have a step-by-step for ward feeding motion, comprising means for applying the parallel binding wires, while the blanks are moving along, and mechanism for gaging or positioning the parts of the blank before the said wires are applied, said mechanism comprising a veneer spacing finger movable forward a distance with the blank and automatically operative independently of control by any space'in the materials ahead thereof, and arranged to return at one side of its path of forward movement in close proximity to the blank, said finger being right side up while traveling in each direction.

15. A wire bound box blank machine in which the blanks have a step-by-step forward feeding motion, comprising means for applying the parallel binding wires, while the blanks are moving along, and mechanism for gaging or positioning the parts of the blank before the said wires are applied, said mechanism comprising movable means having spring controlled spacing fingers each movable forward a distance with the blank, automatically operative independently of control by any space in the materials ahead thereof, and arranged to return at one side of its path of forward movement, and in close proximity to the blank, said finger being right side up while traveling in each direction.

16. A wire bound box blank machine in which the blanks have a step-by-step forward feeding motion, comprising means for applying the parallel binding wires, while the blanks are moving along, mechanism for gaging or positioning the parts of the blank before the said wires are applied, said mechanism comprising a pair of endless chains provided with spacing devices, which chains are operable in the same horizontal plane,

and means for depressing tsaid devices whereby said devices do not strike the work While returning immediately below the blanks.

17. A Wire bound box blank machine in which the blanks have a step-by-step forward feeding motion, comprising means for applying the parallel binding wires, while the blanks are moving along, mechanism for gaging or positioning the parts of the blank before the said wires are applied, said mechanism comprising paralle cleat guides, an endless link belt beside each uide, and spacers secured to the side of said belt and pro'ecting laterally therefrom to slide along sai guides, whereby the said spacers sup;

port the belts on the guides, said spacers adapted to engage between the ends of adjacent cleats of the blank, together with means for automatically disengaging the spacers before the said belt changes its course of travel, and without changing the course of the blank.

18. A wire bound box blank machine comprisin guides for the cleats, and spacing devices or positioning the veneer on the cleats, each device movable forward with the work to position the veneer, and each device movable backward along a path at one side of its oath of forward travel, each device being rig t side up while traveling in both directions, movable means on which said'devices have spacing and non-spacing positions, and mechanism whereby said spacing devices are automatically returned'to starting position.

19. A wire bound box blank machine comprising guides for the cleats, spacing devices vices are automatically returned to starting position. v p

20. A wire bound box blank machine comprising parallel guides for the cleats, feed belts operating in horizontal planes, disposed between said guides, means having vertical axes for supporting said belts, said belts being engaged with the cleats, means for causing said belts to have a step by step movement, to feed the cleats along said guides, automatically operable fingers for spacing apart the edges of the veneer, and stapling mechanism for securing the binding wires in place.

21. A wire bound box blank machine comprising parallel guides for the cleats, feed belts operating in horizontal planes, disposed between said'guides, means having vertical axes for supporting said belts, said belts being engaged with the cleats, means for causing said belts to have a step by step movement, to feed the cleats along said guides, automatically operable fingers for spacing apart the edges of the veneer, and stapling mechanism for securing the binding wires in place, and means for adjusting the distance between said guides and belts to belts being engaged with the cleats, means for causing said belts to have a step by step movement, to feed the cleats along said guides, automatically operable fingers for spacing apart the edges of the veneer, stapling mechanism for securing the binding wlres in place, and means for adjusting the distance between said belts to change the width of the blanks, or to accommodate cleats of dilferent width in said guides.

23. A Wire bound'boxblank machine comprising parallel guides for the cleats, feed .7 belts operating in horizontal planes, distraetin 'the fingers from between said edges. wire bound box blank machine eom-"- 24. prising parallelguides for the cleats, feed belts operating in horizontal planes, 'disposed between said guides, means having vertical axes for supporting-said belts, said belts being engaged with the cleats, means for causing said belts to have a step by' step movement, to feed the cleats along said guides, and stapling mechanism for securing the binding wires in place, spacing fingers for separating the edges of the veneer,

said fingers being automatically operated independently of control by any space in the veneer ahead thereof, means for forcing said fingers into spacing position, and means for extracting the fingers from between said edges, each finger having a support which has movement only in a horizontal plane.

25. A box blank machine comprising guides for the blank mater al, means for causing a step by step movement of the materials along said guides, spacing mechanism including a finger for'separating the edges of the veneer, said finger having an associated portion which enters between the ends of the cleats, to cause said finger to correctly position the edges of the veneer relative to the ends of the cleats, means for actuating said finger into spacing position,

means for withdrawing the finger from between the edges of the veneer, and stapling mechanism for applying'the binding wires to the said materials. M a

'26. A box blank machine comprising means for spacing the cleats apart endwise, means acting on the cleats to cause the blank materials to have a step by step for,-

ward movement, devices for spacing apart the edges of the veneer, mechanism for wiring the materials together, and means for withdrawing said devices from between the said edges, to permit the said devices to return to normal position. a

27. A wire bound box blank machine comprising means for same apart, and being automatically oper-' ated independently of control by any space in the veneer ahead thereof.

28. A wire bound box blank machine com producing a step by step advancement of the blank materials, staplers for wiring the materials together, mechanism for properly positioning the materials, before the wiring together thereof, comprising a finger operable into and out Ofthe path of said materials and movable a fixed distance therewith, whereby said finger has the same extent of motion for diferent lengths of blank, and means for mov ing said finger into operative position, said Qil finger engaging the edges of the veneer to Space the same apart, and being automati cally operated independently of control by any space in the veneerahead thereof.

29. A wire bound box blank machine comprising means for producing a step by step advancement of the blank materials. staplers for wiring the materials together, mechanism for properly positioning the materials, before the wiring together thereof,

of the path of saidmaterials, movable a ger has the same extent of motion for different lengths'of blank, and separate means for forming the spaces between the ends of the cleats, said finger engaging between the edges of the veneer to space the same apart.

30. A. wire bound box blank machine comprising means for producing a step by step advancement of the blank materials, staplers for wiring the materials together, mechanism for properly positioning the materials. before the, wiring together thereof, comprising a finger operable into and out of the path of said materials, movable a fixed distance therewith, whereby said finger has the same extent of motion for dilferent lengths of blank. means for moving said finger into operative position, and separate means for forming the spaces between the ends of the cleats, said finger engaging be tween. the edges of the veneer to. space the same apart. a

31. A wire bound box blank machine comprising a spacer automatically operated inber whereon said spacer has-spacing and comprising a finger operable into and out mon-spacing positions relative thereto, means for automatically forcing said spacer into spacing position, means for automatically actuating said spacer to non-spacing position, means for movably supporting said member, feed mechanism whereby the materials have a step-by-step forward motion, and stapling devices for wiring the materials together. I

32. A wire bound box blank machine comprising a spacer automatically operated in- I dependently of control by any space in the materials ahead thereof, a traveling member whereon said spacer has spacing and non-spacing, positions relative thereto, means for automatically forcing said spacer into spacing position, means for automatically actuating said spacer to non-spacing position, means for movably supporting said member, feed mechanism whereby the materials have a step-by-step forward motion, and stapling devices forwiring the materials together, the said non-spacing position of said spacer being in a plane below the spacing position thereof.

33. A wire bound box blank machine comprising a spacer automatically operated independently of control by any space in the materials ahead thereof, a traveling member whereon said spacer has spacing and non-spacing positions relative thereto, means for automatically forcing said spacer intospacing position, means for automatically actuating said spacer to non-spacing position, means for movably supporting said member, feed mechanism whereby the materials have a step by step forward motion, and stapling devices for wiring the materials-together, the said machine including means for spacing betweenthe ends of the cleats.

34. A machine for making wire bound box blanks bywiring together previously unconnected sections, there being separate cleats for each section, comprising meansfor guiding. the cleats in parallel rows, cleat spacers having both forward and return movement in the common plane of said rows without interfering with the forward feeding motion of said materials, and mechanism for wiring the sections together.

35. A machine for making wire bound box blanks by wiring together previously unconnected sections, there being separate cleats for each section, comprising sheet spacers movable a distance with thesheets,

between the edges thereof, means whereby each spacer travels forward along one path, and backward along another path at one side of said first path, devices for keeping said spacers depressed while returning below the sheets, and mechanism for wiring the sections together.

36. A machine for making wire bound box blanks by wiring together previously unconnected sections, there being separate cleats for each section, comprising sheet spacers movable a distance with the sheets, between the edges thereof, means whereby each spacer travels forward along one path, and backward along another path at one side of said first path, devices for keeping said spacers depressed while returning below the sheets, and mechanism for wiring the sections together, cleat guides, and spacers for separating the cleats endwise thereof.

37; A machine for making wire bound box blanks by wiring together previously unconnected sections, there being separate cleats for each section, comprising means for guiding the cleats in parallel rows, cleat spacers having both forward and return movement in the common plane of said rows, and mechanism for wiring the sections together, sheet spacers, and a ratchet' feed mechanism for causing intermittent feeding motion of said spacers with the cleats and sheets.

38. A box blank machine for wiring together the previously unconnected sections of each blank, comprising cleat guides, and cleat spacers adjacent said guides in the common plane thereof, each said spacer being mounted for movement only inthe com-.

mon plane of the rows of cleats.

39. A wire bound box blank machine comprising a spacer automatically operated independently of control by any space in the materials ahead thereof, a traveling member whereon said spacer has spacing and-nonspacing positions relative thereto, means for automatically forcing said spacer into spacingposition, means for automatically actuating said spacer to non-spacing position, means fgr movably supporting said member, feed mechanism to give the materials astep by step forward motion, and stapling devices for wiring'the materials together, the

endwise, stationary members for engaging the sides of the cleats to prevent lateral displacement thereof, mechanism for wiring together the previousl unconnected side sections of the blanks y successive opera-. tions thereon, and devices for actuating said means and thereby feeding the sheets and cleats to said mechanism, said means including link belts arranged to operate in a horizontal plane, and sprockets for said belts having vertical axes of rotation.

41. A machine for making foldable box blanks from sheets and cleats, comprising a plurality of endless link belts, blocks secured to said belts in fixed relation to space the cleats of each blank, stationary means to hold the cleats between said blocks and in parallel rows, staplers for Wiring together the previously unconnected sections of each blank, by a plurality of successive stapling operations thereon, and mechanism for actuating said belts a plurality of times for each blank to feed the materials into 10 position for stapling, said belts arranged to operate said blocks one and the same common plane throughout the course of travel thereof.

Signed by me at Chicago, Illinois, this 30th day of September, 1911.

JULIUS J. MILLER.

Witnesses:

E. H. Cease, GEO. F. SCHMIDT. 

